Aquarius (constellation)

Aquarius
Constellation
Aquarius
AbbreviationAqr
GenitiveAquarii
Pronunciation/əˈkwɛəriəs/, genitive /əˈkwɛəri/
Symbolismthe Water-Bearer
Right ascension20h 38m 19.1706s23h 56m 23.5355s[1]
Declination03.3256676°–−24.9040413°[1]
Area980 sq. deg. (10th)
Main stars10, 22
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
97
Stars with planets12
Stars brighter than 3.00m2
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)7
Brightest starβ Aqr (Sadalsuud) (2.91m)
Messier objects3
Meteor showersMarch Aquariids
Eta Aquariids
Delta Aquariids
Iota Aquariids
Bordering
constellations
Pisces
Pegasus
Equuleus
Delphinus
Aquila
Capricornus
Piscis Austrinus
Sculptor
Cetus
Visible at latitudes between +65° and −90°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of October.

Aquarius is an equatorial constellation of the zodiac, between Capricornus and Pisces. Its name is Latin for "water-carrier" or "cup-carrier", and its old astronomical symbol is (♒︎), a representation of water. Aquarius is one of the oldest of the recognized constellations along the zodiac (the Sun's apparent path).[2] It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It is found in a region often called the Sea due to its profusion of constellations with watery associations such as Cetus the whale, Pisces the fish, and Eridanus the river.[3]

At apparent magnitude 2.9, Beta Aquarii is the brightest star in the constellation.

  1. ^ a b "Aquarius, constellation boundary". The Constellations. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. ^ Rogers, John H. (February 1998), "Origins of the ancient constellations: I. The Mesopotamian traditions", Journal of the British Astronomical Association, 108 (1): 9–28, Bibcode:1998JBAA..108....9R
  3. ^ Thompson & Thompson 2007.